The 2009 vintage produced bold, juicy wines despite the down production. The season started with a snapping frost season and weather conditions that were not ideal for pollination causing shatter to occur in many of the clusters around the valley. Titus Vineyards benefited from the long, moderate growing season in our valley floor location. With no true heat spikes to further along the harvest markers many were caught by the rain while waiting for sugars to rise. Here at Titus Vineyards, our last day of harvest was the exact day before the first rain. Yields were 30% down from a ‘normal’ year but the fruit was dark and flavorful.

Vineyard

Our family vineyard is located on 40 acres of Napa Valley floor just north of St. Helena on the Silverado Trail. It has well-drained, sandy, alluvial soils and is characterized by its ability to produce complex wines with well-defined fruit flavors, gentle acids and naturally balanced tannins. The fruit from this small section of vineyard is largely devoted to blending into our Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon wines with any excess reserved for a small production, varietal Merlot wine.

Vinification

The grapes were harvested in late September where they were promptly de-stemmed but not crushed, allowing increased control over tannin extraction by minimizing the possibility of broken skins and split seeds. After a 48-hour cold soak to extract color and flavor, the grapes were fermented for 10 days, with pump-overs occurring twice daily. The free-run was transferred to 100% French oak barrels where it underwent malolactic fermentation, and barrel aged for 20 months.

Wine Profile

This is a generous and complex Merlot that will please even the most serious Cab drinker. The appearance is a shimmering deep purple that is alluring to the eye. The complex nose reveals aromas of Bing cherry, apple, raspberry, currant, strawberry, blackberry, brown sugar, tobacco, and baking spice. In the mouth you are rewarded with rich, round tannins and well-integrated oak. Black forest cherry cake, cranberry, passion fruit, and ripe plum are enveloped by oak spice, cinnamon, and tobacco, with notes of tasted vanilla and espresso crema that linger on the smooth finish. Recommended drinking time is three to four years from the vintage, with about one hour of prior breathing time. Maximum suggested aging is eight to ten years from the vintage.